"What do you mean you're moving me to a different store?" I asked. It had only been a week since I started at my dad's store, so why was he moving me?

Dad sighed and stood. He walked over to the window and pointed at the registers. Jenny was the only one checking out customers. "I mean that I think you're a little too fixated on her." 

"I'm not fixated on her at all!" I really wasn't. Except when she was in the back with all the other young guys. That was dangerous for her as all of them had a thing for her. Also when she was stocking things, I did take care to make sure she was okay. Surely he didn't mean those things. I wasn't fixated on her. "I pay attention to other people who work here."

Dad turned to me. "Name all the guys in the storeroom that you normally work with."

"It's only been a week!"

"Then how do you expect to be able to pass out checks? You need to know everyone's name. Or were you hoping I didn't realize you were asking everyone their name? Son, look, I don't want to do it, but I can't keep someone around that's a potential legal issue."

"I don't want to drive all the way to the next store to do what I could be doing here. It's not fair."

"She's not going anywhere, son. Because she's not going anywhere, the best I can do is send you somewhere else. You have a car. She doesn't. It only makes sense that you go somewhere. At the rate you're going, I'm really worried. I know you."

Hot tears were pressing against my eyes, and anxiety was threatening to overwhelm me even as my stomach dropped to my feet. "How about I quit? Would that work for you?" 

"Brayden!"

I stood and stormed out of the office, not listening to whatever it was Dad was saying to try to stop me. As I passed the registers, my eyes found Jenny. She was watching me, curiosity in both her face and her eyes. It was the first time they held something other than sadness. 

My heart sped up, so I refocused on what was in front of me. I couldn't let myself walk into something on the way out - especially because I was looking at her. That would only prove my father right.

As I reached the bus stop, I was wishing I hadn't walked out, but it wasn't like I could just walk back in there after leaving like that. Yet, the only thing I could think about were Jenny's eyes. I had never seen her look that way. My heart flipped at the thought that I chased the sadness out of her eyes, even for a moment.

What was I going to do now? I got fired from my first job at the store. My instincts told me that I needed to protect Jenny, but I knew she'd be fine. She had been so far, so why would she need me now? Where had my logic even gone? 

The came and I climbed on, trying to figure myself out. I thought back to the last girl I seriously dated. She was pretty, but it was more of an average beauty. We were happy together, but what drew me to her was more her attitude. She was a humble person that loved to help others. I was drawn to that. Looking back, I think I was somehow hoping she'd end up saving me from my family. 

It was a stupid notion. One I should never have had in the first place. Especially when she easily went from me to Charlie within days with seemingly no struggle whatsoever. 

As I watched the scenery slide by, I recounted every crush I'd had. Every time it was on a girl that seemed like she could reach a hand out to me. The longer I analyzed myself, the more frustrated I became. What kind of man needed to be saved? What kind of man doesn't want to be the one reaching out a hand? 

By the time I reached my empty house, I was livid at myself. Was I really a selfish person? The only answer I could find for myself was yes. 

I let myself into the house, listening to the dull squeak of the door hinges in the endless silence emanating from the space. My footsteps seemed loud as I went to my room. The door clicked shut as I let myself kneel on the carpet. 

What was I even doing? Was I just some selfish wimp? I deserved everything. I deserved having my family disown me. Aunt Darlene was right. I shouldn't have the audacity to demand anything from the family business or my father. I shouldn't expect to receive anything just because I was going to inherit the business. 

I looked around the room I was in. The walls were bare and slightly off-white. There wasn't any kind of personal belongings sat out. It looked for all intents and purposes like someone halfway decorated a hotel room. It wasn't mine. It wasn't my room. Nothing here was mine. Not truly. I only had a car. That was it. Nothing else. 

Jenny flashed in my mind along with the notion that I didn't want her to be mine - I wanted to be hers. Then again, in that moment, I just wanted to belong somewhere - anywhere - and something in her face wouldn't leave my mind. 

---

"Stop yawning," someone said as they smacked the back of my head. 

Two weeks had passed, and I had found a job at a furniture store. I was helping deliver furniture and appliances. Or I would be. Eventually. I would be when I finished training, which was about the proper methods of carrying heavy things. Apparently someone could talk about this subject for an hour. 

"Sorry," I said, trying to stifle another yawn. I had barely slept the night before, but I didn't get up until I was nearly late for my first day. I was kind of ashamed of myself for it. "I promise I'm paying attention." I turned and found my new boss looking at me with a smirk.

She was petite, but strong. The two men that worked for her were afraid of her and treated her with respect. I wasn't eager to find out why. From what I'd heard from them, I was getting special treatment. 

"This stuff is very important for when you make deliveries," she said as she sat at the breakroom table with me. "I plan on keeping you around the office, but there are going to be some days that I'll probably have to send you off on deliveries. Can't have you blowing out your back during a busy time lifting a couch, now can we?"

I felt heat rise into my face. How weak did she think I was? "I won't throw my back out," I said, trying not to pout. 

She laughed at me. "Well, when the video is done, come see me in the office. We're going to start going over what needs to be done."

"Okay." She got up and left me alone in the room. The whole time, I couldn't help but look at the place around me. It wasn't nearly as nice as the breakroom my dad gave his workers. There was junk spread all over the table, and the appliances looked worn out. I knew the microwave wasn't one from this decade.

I eyed a ketchup packet lying on the table that still read catsup. When was the last time that it was actually spelled that way? The '90s? Probably. I was suddenly very unsure of the table I was leaning on. What kind of gunk was that on the corner? Had it been cleaned in the last decade? The answer to the last question was probably not. 

Questions about the job began going through my mind, about whether or not the woman could run a business effectively if she couldn't even be bothered to keep the breakroom clean, and whether or not she could possibly teach me anything I didn't know. Judging solely by that room, I was probably going to end up teaching her. 

The biggest question that came to mind, though was if this would work out. I was fine working for a woman - they had just as much right to own and run a business as anyone else - but I wasn't sure I'd be able to tolerate someone who didn't know what they were doing.

By the time I had finished watching the video and answering the questions she asked me about it, I had decided that I'd give her the benefit of the doubt for the time being. 

"Would you like to get a head start figuring things out today, or do you want to come in first thing tomorrow so you can bring your A-game?"

"Why don't we go ahead and get a head start?" I stood and towered a few inches over her head.

She smile up at me. "Great. I was hoping you'd say that. First things first, I need you to look over the employee handbook and get yourself familiar with how we run things here."

I followed her into the office and ended up staying way past close, looking over some things for her. Once she found out I majored in business, she had several questions for me about the way she was running things. Surprisingly, for someone that didn't take care of the break room, she was quite business savvy. I was impressed, but still stayed and helped her fix many things. 

By the time I left, I was drained, both mentally and socially. I thought I'd gotten used to seeing people all the time, but apparently not. My eyes felt dry and gritty. I could barely see straight. Which is why I wasn't sure I was actually seeing Jenny getting off the bus when I drove by a low-income neighborhood.

I stopped at a light that wasn't even red and tried to get a better look. Through the dark, I could just make out the bag she always carried, but even with the street lamps I couldn't make out her face. 

Maybe the morning light would help me to see her better.